Category: Dermatological Issues

Skin care during the winter season has become a multibillion dollar industry, yet most of these products contain drugs or harsh chemical that often do little to improve the root cause of skin conditions, and in some cases may actually worsen the problem. Effective treatment for skin conditions, therefore, must include both internal and external approaches. However strong steroid-based cream or lotion one would apply, unless internal conditions are addressed, it will be short-lived and recurring once the medication stops.

Internal Approach

Strengthen the lungs. The best and most effective way of fortifying the lungs is deep breathing, or abdomen-breathing. Conscious slow-breathing techniques work as well.

Massage the Lung Source Point (Lung 9, Taiyuan, Great Abyss–located at the wrist joint) for 3-5 minutes every day. This point is particularly effective in treating asthma.

3. Massage Large Intestine 11(LI 11, QuChi, on the outside of elbow) to clear “heat” in the body.

4. Remove Dampness caused by water retention, and insufficient flushing of water and toxins. Constipation is a real killer here.

Epsom Salt Bath–Take relaxing, stress-relieving epsom salt baths as often as you can by adding 2-4 cups of ultra epsom salt (no fragrance) to a warm bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes. In water, epsom salt is broken down to magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It has numerous health benefits, and it moistens the skin while removing the toxins.

2. Apply grated potatoes on the distressed skin areas (You can also drink raw potato juice by grating potatoes and extracting its juice). Raw potatoes are very good in fighting infections, relieving pains, and healing the wounds.

5. Protect the skin with oil. Among all oils, emu oil is touted to be the best in dealing with dry, itchy skin. The aboriginal people of Australia have long used emu oil to treat inflammation, wounds, and musculoskeletal pain.

There could be other issues such as metal toxicity or hormonal imbalance that can wreak havoc on skin conditions, however, the above items will produce significant relief for severely dry, and itchy skin conditions during the winter.

Do you know what is the largest organ of the body? It’s not your heart, liver, or even the lungs–it’s your skin. Skin is not only our largest organ, it happens to be the most vulnerable and visible organ. Why so many people experience worsening skin conditions during the winter time?

Interestingly, in China, eczema is called “skin asthma,” due to the fact that many of the children with eczema will also develop, or already have, asthma. So, what’s the relationship between the skin and asthma?

In Chinese medicine, skin is directly controlled by the lungs. During the winter season, our lungs are so busy in protecting us from the external evil, i.e., cold and harsh outside weather, that the lungs can’t keep up with dealing with internal evils trapped somewhere in the body. In most cases, people with chronic skin conditions tend to have weak lungs to being with. Those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or even severe acnes have a lot of “damp heat” in the body. These skin problems are nothing but the body dumping toxic heat onto the skin. During the cold season, their skin conditions tend to exacerbate because their lung Qi is simply too weak to deal with attacks from outside as well as toxic heat created internally. There are many other issues to consider, but in a nutshell, dry & itchy skins are primarily caused by weak lung Qi.

It has been brutally cold lately. One of the most common health issues during the winter season is dry, itchy skin conditions. Those with chronic skin issues tend to experience worsening conditions during the winter. Some can’t even sleep due to maddening itchiness.

I will offer some advices on how to deal with skin conditions whether it is eczema(dry, scaly patches of skin affecting children particularly), psoriasis (usually appears on the elbows and knees with red and whitish scaly patches), rosacea (an uneven and often permanent blush across a person’s forehead, cheeks, and chin), or just severely dry, itchy skin throughout the body.

The skin is our body’s coat. It also is our largest and fastest-growing organ. The skin reflects and reacts to imbalances within the body’s internal landscape and the effects of the environment. Internal disharmonies caused by strong emotions, diet, and your constitution can contribute to the development of a skin disorder.

Environmental influences, such as wind, dryness, dampness and heat can also trigger or exacerbate skin disorders.

General skin conditions that can be treated with Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine include acne, dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, shingles and urticaria (hives).

Evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used for skin disorders, such as hives, can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD.

Medicinal plants and stone needles were utilized to relieve and cure discomforts of the external areas of the body.

While acne is a condition that affects nearly 85 percent of all adolescents, the American Dermatologist Association reports that 20 percent of adults have an active acne condition. So, though some are led to believe that acne is a problem that only teenagers experience, the fact is that acne can impact any age group.

Acne often occurs when the hair follicles or pores become clogged from oil, dirt, dead skin cells, bacteria, environmental toxins or physical irritations on the surface of the skin.

Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance known as sebum. Ordinarily, the secretion of sebum provides a luscious, healthy sheen to hair and skin. But there are times when the substance builds up, causing the pores to become plugged.

If you are showing symptoms of acne, even if it’s not chronic and severe, you may want to consider an appointment.

In addition to directly treating your skin condition through a personalized acupuncture treatment plan, you can also receive treatment if you experience emotional distress from your skin condition.

Plus, if you seek treatment earlier rather than later, you may help reduce the incidence of permanent scarring.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin disorder resulting in rough, red and itchy patches on the body. In addition, there can be a host of other symptoms and complications that can greatly vary between individuals.

For some, small blisters may be present that when scratched, may bleed or ooze fluid and then crust over when dry. For others, a persistent need to scratch itchy skin may cause anxiety and sleep problems. Other symptoms of eczema include nighttime itching, red or brown skin discoloration, bumps that ooze fluid and harden when dry, scaly-looking, thick, cracked or dry skin, skin inflammation or sensitive, uncomfortable skin sensations.

Complications that may arise from the symptoms of eczema include asthma, allergies, skin infections, insomnia, emotional problems or eye problems.

Chinese Medicine largely defines this condition as one related to heat. This manifestation of heat on the skin may stem from an internal imbalance (e.g. a weakened immune system), an allergic reaction (e.g. peanut allergy) or a combination of both these internal and external factors.

There are many reasons why the body may succumb to a heat condition and lead to the manifestation of eczema symptoms. Strong or prolonged emotions such as anger, rage or jealousy may contribute to a pathological buildup of heat.

Overworking may also be a contributing factor, as this may interfere with other activities such as exercise and things that bring joy and pleasure into one’s life.

Each patient will have a different set of circumstances. At the time of your visit, mention any emotional or behavioral difficulties you feel may be related to your eczema. This way, a treatment plan can be developed that will address all of your symptoms.

Hives (urticaria) are swollen and red bumps, patches or welts on the skin that appear suddenly. Itching is the most common symptom associated with hives, although some people report that hives cause a stinging or burning sensation.

Hives can occur anywhere on the body including the hands, face, lips, tongue, throat or ears. A sign that the whole body is experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction, a hives outbreak can occur due to a wide array of stimuli.

While intolerance to certain foods, additives, intense emotions, sunlight exposure and medications can all cause hives; in 70-75 percent of outbreaks, the exact cause of hives remains unknown.

In Chinese medicine, an outbreak of hives is described as wind invading the skin and the meridians, causing itching and swelling. When the eruptions are red, it is an indication that wind and heat are involved. When the eruptions are a pale pink or white, it is likely that the diagnosis will be wind-cold invading the skin.

How the condition is diagnosed will determine what acupuncture points are used, what herbal medicines are prescribed and what lifestyle/dietary recommendations are made.